The judge trying former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak for the killing of protesters during the uprising against his rule has adjourned his trial until September 5th.
Judge Ahmed Refaat ordered the trial be merged with that of former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli and said TV coverage of the trial would end until sentencing takes place.
"Preposterous," said one man watching the trial outside the court building. "The case is necessary for public opinion. Not airing it live means there is a deal with Mubarak."
Earlier today clashes broke out as the ousted president returned to court.
A helicopter landed near the court, and shortly afterwards the ailing Mubarak (83) was wheeled on a trolley into the courtroom's steel cage for the second session of his trial.
Hundreds of riot police stood guard, but clashes erupted between a crowd of Mubarak supporters outside the building and a group demanding justice for those killed in the uprising that toppled him six months ago.
"The thief has arrived!" shouted the anti-Mubarak protesters, drawing whistles from his supporters. "Judge wake up! Mubarak killed my brothers! Execute the killer!", shouted others.
The pro-Mubarak crowd threw stones, the police cordon dividing them broke, and the Mubarak supporters chased their opponents away from the court building.
In a courtroom packed with excited lawyers, Mubarak looked composed, hands clasped over his chest. An intravenous needle was implanted in his left hand. He was not wearing the regulation white clothes of prisoners.
Mubarak exchanged a few words with sons Alaa and Gamal, also on trial and in the same enclosure with their father. They sought to shield him from cameras and one of them kissed Mubarak on the forehead to comfort him.
Judge Ahmed Refaat called Mubarak's name and he answered, "Present." The judge appealed for calm, ordering them to sit down to allow proceedings to begin.
Agencies